Abdul Jami Allen an emerging leader among Atlanta's humanitarians
Written by Baruti M. Kamau, Citizen Reporter | An exclusive to ForumPromotion.net
Abdul Jami Allen (aka Tu Sweet Allen) is a humanitarian working amongst the poor in Downtown Atlanta, Georgia. Through his non-profit, Giving Back To Humanity, Mr. Allen and his staff of volunteers feed over 300 people every Sunday afternoon on Broad Street. Mr. Allen, no stranger to poverty himself, grew up in New York City and dropped out of school to help support his family. Hustling in the streets to make ends meet, his favorite form of entertainment became dancing. During the early 1970s, Allen had become a local icon in New York's disco scene. He was credited with doing the hustle long before it had become popularized by the movie Saturday Night Fever. In fact, Nik Cohn the author of Tribal Rites of the New Saturday Night, which was the basis for the Hollywood blockbuster Saturday Night Fever, based his fictional novel on the life of Abdul Jami Allen when he was the disco king of New York City.
After doing time in a New York prison, Mr. Allen moved to Atlanta in the early 1980s. He struggled with homelessness and drug addiction. He overcame those challenges and converted to Islam under Imam Kareem, who was one of the original founders of Masjid al-Jami. Imam Kareem had a powerful influence over Mr. Allen. That is how his street name transformed from Tu Sweet to Abdul Jami. Allen with the help and guidance of Imam Kareem pursued various entrepreneurial ventures to maintain himself. As a consequence of that relationship, Mr. Allen became active in helping people which ultimately manifested into a structured organization in 2008.
Moving up in years, Mr. Allen wants to expand the services offered by Giving Back To Humanity. He wants to raise enough money to establish a new shelter for Atlanta's homeless women with children. He is also looking for a venue to promote his love for dancing. As an older man, in his sixties, he says that he still got the moves. From being the source to a major Hollywood blockbuster to being a local humanitarian, Abdul Jami Allen might be one of the most overlooked leaders with a fascinating story to tell.
About Writer
Baruti M. Kamau is the author of "Homeless In 21st Century Atlanta, Georgia." He is known for championing the voice of African American youth and young adults through publishing Barutiwa Newspaper (1992-1999). Write to Baruti M. Kamau at Forum Promotion by private message.
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1. Transforming Adversity Into Opportunity by Baruti M. Kamau - 12/21/2014
2. Tu Sweet Allen Want To Set Record Straight by Baruti M. Kamau - 8/18/2014
3. Muslim Charity Makes Difference Among Atlanta's Poor by Baruti M. Kamau - 7/21/2014
Written by Baruti M. Kamau, Citizen Reporter | An exclusive to ForumPromotion.net
Abdul Jami Allen (aka Tu Sweet Allen) is a humanitarian working amongst the poor in Downtown Atlanta, Georgia. Through his non-profit, Giving Back To Humanity, Mr. Allen and his staff of volunteers feed over 300 people every Sunday afternoon on Broad Street. Mr. Allen, no stranger to poverty himself, grew up in New York City and dropped out of school to help support his family. Hustling in the streets to make ends meet, his favorite form of entertainment became dancing. During the early 1970s, Allen had become a local icon in New York's disco scene. He was credited with doing the hustle long before it had become popularized by the movie Saturday Night Fever. In fact, Nik Cohn the author of Tribal Rites of the New Saturday Night, which was the basis for the Hollywood blockbuster Saturday Night Fever, based his fictional novel on the life of Abdul Jami Allen when he was the disco king of New York City.
After doing time in a New York prison, Mr. Allen moved to Atlanta in the early 1980s. He struggled with homelessness and drug addiction. He overcame those challenges and converted to Islam under Imam Kareem, who was one of the original founders of Masjid al-Jami. Imam Kareem had a powerful influence over Mr. Allen. That is how his street name transformed from Tu Sweet to Abdul Jami. Allen with the help and guidance of Imam Kareem pursued various entrepreneurial ventures to maintain himself. As a consequence of that relationship, Mr. Allen became active in helping people which ultimately manifested into a structured organization in 2008.
Moving up in years, Mr. Allen wants to expand the services offered by Giving Back To Humanity. He wants to raise enough money to establish a new shelter for Atlanta's homeless women with children. He is also looking for a venue to promote his love for dancing. As an older man, in his sixties, he says that he still got the moves. From being the source to a major Hollywood blockbuster to being a local humanitarian, Abdul Jami Allen might be one of the most overlooked leaders with a fascinating story to tell.
About Writer
Baruti M. Kamau is the author of "Homeless In 21st Century Atlanta, Georgia." He is known for championing the voice of African American youth and young adults through publishing Barutiwa Newspaper (1992-1999). Write to Baruti M. Kamau at Forum Promotion by private message.
Related Articles
1. Transforming Adversity Into Opportunity by Baruti M. Kamau - 12/21/2014
2. Tu Sweet Allen Want To Set Record Straight by Baruti M. Kamau - 8/18/2014
3. Muslim Charity Makes Difference Among Atlanta's Poor by Baruti M. Kamau - 7/21/2014
